Gators open SEC play with a win

GAINESVILLE — The No. 11 Gators defense and depth were too much as Florida looked every bit the part of SEC favorite in men's basketball during a conference-opening win against Georgia.

The Bulldogs never had a chance during the Gators' 77-44 win Wednesday night in the O'Connell Center. Georgia fell behind 11-0 to open the game and finished the night with more turnovers (19) than field goals (14).

"Florida just overwhelmed us," Georgia coach Mark Fox said. "We dug such a hole and tried to dig out of it. I have to give Florida credit; they are a terrific team."

With Gators senior power forward Erik Murphy nursing sore ribs that kept him out of Sunday's win at Yale, Casey Prather capitalized on his first start since the 2010-11 season. The 6-foot-6 junior scored the game's first six points and finished with 10 points and a season-high seven rebounds for Florida (11-2, 1-0 SEC).

"He's given us a different dimension," Donovan said of Prather. "He's quick. He's athletic."

When Murphy entered the game wearing heavy padding on his torso, he quickly hit a 3-pointer — the first of 12 Gators' 3s on the night – and had eight points as Florida led 28-15 at the half.

"It's a painful experience for him on a daily basis," Donovan said. "It's a credit to him going out there."

Murphy would finish with 11 points, one of four Gators to score in double figures as the offense took control of the game in the second half against Georgia (6-8, 0-1).

Florida finished the night with 17 assists and just seven turnovers.

"We're moving the ball; we're passing," Donovan said. "We're playing the right way."

Senior guard Mike Rosario led the way, scoring 19 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field. It was his ninth game in double figures a season, one shy of his total in 2011-12.

Rosario also did not have a turnover for just the second time this season.

Donovan was glad to see Rosario turn in a flawless performance after a two-game stretch with just 12 points on 3 of 15 shooting the end of December. It included a 1 of 9 shooting night and five points during a 67-61 loss Dec. 22 at Kansas State.

"We need him to play like that," Donovan said of Wednesday's performance.

Florida hit five 3-pointers in the first eight minutes of the half to build a 28-point lead, at 54-26. The Gators would lead by as many as 34 points and continue their early season dominance. Florida's 11 wins have been by an average of 26.1 points.

The Gators led by more than 30 points the final eight minutes of the game and did not let up.

"It says a lot about our team," Rosario said. "We are never satisfied."

Looking for their second SEC title in three seasons, the Gators have one goal in mind.

"We're playing for something now," he said. "Our non-conference schedule was just to prepare for the situations that are coming up now. Now we're playing for an SEC championship."

Noteworthy: The 3,200 students in attendance was the highest total in the past seven years at the O'Connell Center.